Black Hawk County Health Department supports the IDPH recommendation of using face masks when out in public. The full guidance from IDPH can be found here. It is also detailed below. Black Hawk County Health Department still stresses that the safest practice for slowing the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home and limit time in public. But when that is not possible, please use a face covering.
Please note: the below guidelines are for personal face coverings only. They do not include the guidelines for use in medical offices to supplement PPE supplies. Those recommendations can be found here.
COVID-19 Guidance on Cloth Face Coverings
Issued by IDPH - 4/6/2020
Maintaining a 6-foot social distance from other individuals remains one of the most important ways to slow the spread of COVID-19; however, recent studies have indicated that some people with coronavirus don’t have any symptoms, and that even those who later develop symptoms can pass the virus to others before showing symptoms. Because of this new evidence, wearing cloth face coverings in public places where social distancing measures are difficult (like grocery stores and pharmacies) can be done to help further slow the spread of COVID-19.
Cloth face coverings are NOT surgical masks or N-95 respirators.
Surgical masks and N-95 respirators are critical supplies that must be reserved for health careworkers and other medical first responders.
Cloth face coverings can be quickly and inexpensively made from an old t-shirt, a bandana,hand towel or scarf, and rubber bands.
o Watch U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams make a face covering in 45 seconds
Wearing a cloth face covering is not a substitution for following social distancing guidelines.
All Iowans should continue to stay at home as much as possible, except for essential activities(like getting groceries or medicine).
All Iowans should continue to stay at least 6 feet away from other individuals, and avoid groups larger than 10 people.
All Iowans should continue to wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and not leavetheir home if they are even mildly ill. Wearing a cloth face covering in public can help protect others.
It is important to protect the Iowans most vulnerable to serious complications of COVID-19,including older Iowans, and those with underlying health issues like heart disease, chronic lung disease, asthma, those who have suppressed immune systems, and those who are severely obese.
In the event you had the virus that causes COVID-19, but had no symptoms or had not yet developed symptoms, wearing a cloth face covering when in public on essential errands can help protect others from infection if you cough or sneeze.You should avoid touching or adjusting your cloth face mask while in public, clean your hands immediately if you do have to touch it, and launder the mask after each use and when it is visibly soiled.